Precautions when Purchasing Used Cars

If you are buying privately or from a dealer, ensure that the used car you are considering buying is actually what the seller states it is.

Occasionally, dealers do pretend that they are private sellers. Say you phone with regard to a car advertised as a private sale and they ask “which car...?”, be very careful and wary.

Should you be buying privately, make sure you arrange to view at the seller's house. This way you can ensure that the car you are being sold is not stolen.

It is worth forking out for a vehicle history check in order to establish the number of owners the car has had and whether there is any finance outstanding on it, whether or not it has been written off, etc. It is essential you undertake this prior to deciding whether or not the car is appropriate for you.

Compare your research data and that on the V5C (the vehicle's logbook) for the car, to ensure that it matches. If the data does not match, you may be viewing a stolen car.

Question the seller as to the time they have had the car for, the reason why they are selling it, clarify that they are the present owner, or whether they have the permission of the owner to sell it.

Check out the service history, as well as the locations of garages which have undertaken work on the car. Do the details match the remainder of the car's history?

* Check any invoices to find out if the car has had any other work done to it.